Golf gripping



Jan. 31, 1939 R. c. HENDERSON v 291459600 GOLF GRIPPING Filed July 1, 1936 INVENTOR. For C. HENDERSON Patented Jan. 31, 1939 UNITE STATES arias PATENT GOLF GRIPPING Dolgeville, N. Y.

Application July 1, 1936, Serial No. 88,390

3 Claims.

This invention relates to golf gripping improvements, and includes both methods of and appliances for perfecting and rendering uniform the relation of the hands to the shaft of a golf club, in a manner to perfect and maintain a correct grip.

Particularly among those less experienced in the game of golf are the noticeable tendencies, either for the hands to assume an initially incorrect grip, or, if an initial and approved grip be taken, inadvertently to alter this grip incident to the backswing, in a manner adversely to affect the control of the club. It has been determined as a result of considerable experience and a number of experiments, that by locking together the thumb and forefinger particularly, but also the other fingers of the controlling hand in their correct relation to the shaft, and by maintaining this relation throughout the entire backswing as well as the downswing of the club, the golfer is enabled considerably to improve his performance as reflected in straighter, longer shots and more dependable results in all departments of the game. It is to the attainment of this major and general objective that the present invention is directed.

Among the other objectives incidental to the foregoing, are an improved method and means for locking the thumb, forefinger and other fingers in correct gripping relation to the golf shaft in a manner definitely to limit the movement of the club at the top of the backswing, by utilizing a natural braking or limiting action of the thumb of the controlling hand. Incidental to this result, the practice of the present invention serves to start the club on its downswing, by a natural reactive or reflex pressure of the thumb of the directing hand.

An additional object of the invention is attained in improved provisions for a firmer, more easy and more comfortable grip of the club-controlling or directing hand, which obviates the necessity for maintaining a strong or tense grip of the impelling hand on the shaft, at the top of and during the early portion of the downswing.

Another object of the invention is attained in a method and certain appliances for maintaining the club shaft in engagement with the fingers, instead of with the palm of the hand, which as is well known to instructors and professionals, serves to correct many golf grip evils.

Still other objects reflected in the utilization of the present principles, consist in means conducing to a simplified and correct grip of such nature that it enforces or compels an even and uniform arc of the entire swing; the principles of the present invention further render possible a much slower backswing, and compel a momentary but desirable hesitation at the top of the backswing, or limit of the backswinging movement.

Still further objects of the invention are attained in a method and appliances for easing the strain on the impelling hand until such time as it is called upon to perform the necessary purpose of whipping the club head through, at and somewhat beyond the point of impact with the ball.

Incident to certain of the foregoing objects in maintaining the club head under perfect control the remaining portion of the swing, this attain- L ment of an improved and more uniform followthrough, serving to produce longer shots.

Yet another important object of the invention is attained in a correcting and strengthening effeet on the directing hand of the golfer, this us- H ually being the left or weaker of the two hands. In reference to a right hand golfer, it may be assumed for purposes of present description that the left hand is the controlling or directing hand, while the right hand is utilized primarily for the purpose of impelling or imparting the driving energy to the club shaft. An opposite or reverse relation obviously prevails in the case of a left hand golfer. Since the weight of the club head, as well as the length of the club shaft are of particular importance in reference to length of shots, and since because of the necessarily restricted diameter of the grip portion of the club shaft, the grip-correcting and strengthening effects objectively attained by the practice of the present invention become of considerable importance. The invention enables, for example, the correct and successful use of a club characterized by a head of somewhat greater weight than would otherwise be possible which, as is known to those skilled in the art, will definitely conduce to longer drives. This advantage further objectively refiects itself in a distinct improvement of the grip of women golfers, and of a player with small hands, or with an unusually weak left hand.

The foregoing and numerous other objects will appear from the following detailed description of the methods involved and appliances utilized in attaining improved golf grips in accordance with the present invention, all as set forth in the following detailed description, considered in connection with the accompanying drawing of certain embodiments of the invention, and in which:

Fig. l is a fragmentary elevation illustrating the manner of utiliziing a golf grip appliance in accordance with the present invention, illustrating the relation of the hands of the golfer and the club shaft at the top or outer limit of the backswing; Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation through the thumb and fingers, illustrating the manner of application of a preferred form of golf gripping appliance made in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 3 is an elevation in perspective of the device as shown applied to the hand in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is an elevation in perspective of an appliance somewhat similar to that shown in Fig. 3, but embodying a loop or bight portion for the reception of only the thumb of the user, and Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 2, except showing the mode of usage of the gripping appliance illustrated by Fig. 4.

Referring now by characters of reference to the drawing, Fig. 1 illustrates at ID the upper end or grip portion of a golf club shaft, showing in correct relation thereto, the left hand ll of a right hand golfer, and in dotted lines the right hand l2. A grip-correcting appliance within the purview and embodying the principles of the present invention, is designated generally at l3. It is of the essence of the present invention to provide for mechanically binding together in substantial contiguity throughout all or the major part of their common length, the first finger and thumb of the directing or left hand of the golfer. In accordance with usual professional instruction, it is desirable to maintain these digits in close contact, particularly throughout the backswing, but also through the downswing. The natural tendency however, due to the somewhat strained position of the left hand near the top of the backswing, is for the golfer to permit the shaft If! to assume a position in the crotch of the thumb and first finger, as a result of which inthis portion of the arc, the thumb of the left hand is without any reliable or definite controlling action on the club. By maintaining the thumb and first finger of the left or directing hand in close proximity through all or most of theirjoint length, the club shaft bears against the ball of the thumb at the limit of the backswing, the thumb thus serving as a natural brake or limiting element for the club, and serves defi nitely to determine or limit the extent of the backswing, all as will clearly appear from the illustration of Fig. 1. As a result of the centrifugal effect of the club head, the thumb at this point of the back stroke becomes stressed, so that in addition to providing a short period of rest at the top of the backswing, the thumb then serves of itself, through its reactive or reflex effect, to initiate the reverse or forward movement of the club.. This effect will be apparent from the position of the thumb in relation to the other fingers of the-left hand as shown bythe figure here in discussion.

QA preferred-means of practicing the method herein outlined and of obtaining the results indicated by the foregoing objects, will clearly appear from Fig. 2, wherein the thumb is indicated in section at-l4, and at l5, l6, l1 and "3 appear respectively the first, second, third and fourth fingers of the directing hand of the golfer. There is shown as applied to the hand in Fig. 2 an appliance consisting of a strip of flexible material 20 doubled upon itself to constitute a loop or bight portion 2| the two folds of the strip being firmly stitched together as at 22, and the strip by preference, being characterized by differential width between its loop end and free end, being of somewhat greater width at its free end 23, thence tapering to a portion of somewhat lesser width in an intermediate section 24, and assuming a greater width near the extremity of the loop or bight portion 2| in order to constitute a pulling tab 25, which may be formed either integrally with the strip as shown, or constituted by a separate tab element (not shown). The manner of application and usage of the device of Fig. 3 will readily appear from Fig. 1, wherein it is seen that the tab portion 25 is utilized to draw the device as far onto the thumb and first finger as the hand will permit, the doubled portion being thence shown as brought under the second finger, over the third finger and under the last finger as a preferred manner of application to the hand. After initial application to the hand in thismanher, the projecting end or ends 23 are preferably tensioned so as to bring the first finger and thumb as closely together as possible, and in as close adjacence as possible to each of the other fingers, with the obvious effect of tending to compact all of the fingers of the directing hand, and preclud ing their displacement in any part of the swing.

As a material for forming the device shown by Figs. 1, 2 and 3, my preference is to utilize a good grade of chamois leather, since this material is not characterized by too great an elasticity, and is unafiected by moisture either elemental or from perspiration; in fact, when this material is wet, its coeificient of friction and performance for the present purpose are enhanced. Other materials are however suitable for constructing the several appliances to be described, among which may be mentioned many of the soft leathers such as suedes; woven cloth of the type of or similar to that known in the trade as selvyt cloth; woven web material of the type frequently utilized in the construction of arch supports, elastic bandages and the like; latex or other combination rubber materials, and many of the specially treated so-called tacky leathers. The present enumeration of materials is however intended to be merely exemplary, and not exhaustive.

It is contemplated that in order to meet the requirements of hands of different sizes, the appliance such as illustrated by Fig. 3 may be made to somewhat differing dimensions; the length of the loop portion where formed to receive the thumb and first finger is however important, and will normally vary between the limits of two and one-half to three and one-half inches, so as to provide for ease of insertion of the thumb and the first finger and yet not offer an excess of material in a manner to defeat the underlying purpose of tying these digits together.

.The device of Fig. 4 applied to the hand as illustrated by Fig. 5, is characterized by a doubled strip 26, a bight portion 2?, stitching 28 and a free or pulling end 29, together with a tab 30, these elements serving respectively, the purposes described in connection with the arrangement of Fig. 3, with the difference that the bight por tion 2'! is formed to accommodate solely the thumb of the user. When so constructed the length of the loop 27 becomes an important characteristic, usually being varied only between the limits of one and one-fourth inches to one and three-fourths inches.

In those forms of the device which are designed to embrace only the thumb of the hand to which .it is applied, the manner of application to the hand is optional, in that the strip portions beyond the thumb stall may be brought either over or under the first finger, thence alternately, in interlaced relation to the remaining fingers, over and under them in the order engaged. In case the strap portion adjacent the thumb stall is brought under the first finger, its location will definitely preclude any possibility of slippage of the club shaft or handle into the crotch between the thumb and first finger.

The manner of use of the several forms of grip-improving appliance herein described, is thought to be apparent from the illustration of Fig. 1, it being noted that the arrangement and method involved in its use, compels a comfortable as well as a correct grip which relieves the golfer, particularly the beginner, of many of the burdensome details of technique of grip. Further, the use of the devices tends, because of the automatically comfortable and correct grip, to conduce to relaxation, increase confidence, and quickly to reduce to the status of habit all matters relating to grip, thus enabling the golfer to devote his attention to other factors of the game.

It is further importantly to be noted that the use of the present device and the method embodied in such use, assists the golfer in adjusting his grip to the shaft in order to attain such hook or slice effects as may be desired; further, it insures at all times a perfect position of both hands, enabling straighter, longer shots and in all other ways fully attains each of the several objects heretofore expressed and implied.

It will be understood of course that the several individual features or items of construction herein described in reference to the several figures, may be selectively and in most cases interchangeably incorporated in the several embodiments of the invention.

While the invention has been described by reference to the details of structure of certain preferred embodiments and practices, such description is to be understood as given solely for purposes of exemplary disclosure, and not as limiting the full intended scope of the invention, as defined by the claims hereunto appended.

I claim as my invention:

1. A device for improving golf club grips, said device comprising a doubled or folded strip of a highly absorbent flexible material the frictional characteristics of which are substantially unimpaired by moisture, the doubled strip being stitched over a substantial area between its ends to constitute, at one of its ends, a loop of a.

' strap,

size only such as comfortably to accommodate the thumb and first finger of one hand, the device being at least of a length to extend from the loop, in a direction transversely of the hand, to a point beyond the outside of the hand, and being provided with an extension to lie downwardly along the outside of the area between the joints of the thumb and so located as. to restrict fiexure of the thumb of the user when the device is applied to the hand.

2. A device for improving the gripping action of the hand on a golf club, which comprises a doubled strap element of a flexible unfilled, porous material, whose frictional characteristics are substantially unimpaired by moisture, the strap element being secured upon itself substantially between its ends to constitute a loop or bight portion for receiving the thumb and first finger of the hand, and a doubled strap portion extended beyond the loop to the opposite end of the device, with a zone of securement defined as by stitching over a substantial portion of the length of the strap, said portion beyond the loop being of a reduced width and of a length to extend alternately over and under the second, third and fourth fingers of the hand, and to provide therebeyond a tensioning tab, the loop portion being of a dimension transversely of the hand and lengthwise of the device, of between two and one-half and three and one-half inches, that portion of the bight for engagement of the thumb, being of a relatively increased width sufficient to overlie the greater part of the thumb between its joints.

3. A device for improving the gripping action of the hand on a golf club, which comprises a doubled flexible strap element formed of a thin chamois leather, the doubled element being secured upon itself inwardly of one end to form a thumb-receiving loop, the securement extending over a substantial zone lengthwise of the whence the strap is extended beyond said loop to constitute a frictional engaging portion for the fingers of the hand, said last portion being of a relatively reduced width, and of a length to extend alternately over and under said fingers and to provide therebeyond a free end constituting a tab for tensioning purposes, the loop being of a dimension lengthwise of the device and transversely of the hand, of between one and one-fourth and three and one-half inches, and the bight portion of the loop being substantially widened so as to overlie substantially the greater part of the thumb between the joints thereof,

ROY C. HENDERSON. 

